The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 238 new COVID-19 cases in Alaska on Thursday, including four that were reported in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Affected peninsula communities include Seward with two cases, Kenai with one case and Soldotna with one case. The new cases bring Alaska’s statewide case total to 60,157, including 57,677 reported among residents and 2,480 reported among nonresidents.
On Thursday, the Kenai Peninsula Borough had an average daily case rate over 14 days of 6.42 cases per 100,000 people. The borough is considered to be at intermediate risk level.
Also on Thursday, the state reported 68 in Wasilla, 63 new cases in Anchorage, 29 in Bethel Census Area, 16 in Fairbanks, 10 in Palmer, seven in Eagle River, five in North Pole, four in Copper River Census Area, four in Petersburg, three in Mat-Su Borough, two in Bethel, two in Fairbanks North Star Borough, two in Sitka and one each in Chugiak, Delta Junction, Juneau, Kusilvak Census Area, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Wrangell and Yakutat plus Hoonah-Angoon.
Twelve nonresident cases were also reported, including eight in Unalaska, two in Anchorage, one in Fairbanks and one in Wasilla.
Two new hospitalizations and no new deaths were reported Thursday, bringing statewide totals to 1,272 and 301 among residents, respectively. As of Thursday, there were 38 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Alaska, including five who were considered persons under investigation. Two of the patients were on ventilators.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
